Obama Iowa

Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

Obamas win in the overwhelmingly white state of Iowa was crucial in sending a message to black voters. That took what everyone presumed would have been a Clinton asset  the support of the African American community  and turned it into an Obama asset, said Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist and South Carolina native, who stayed neutral in the nominating fight. It can be strongly argued that Hillary Clinton's third-place finish in Iowa marked the beginning of the end of her candidacy, which had always been predicated on a string of early wins.

Obamas win in the overwhelmingly white state of Iowa was crucial in sending a message to black voters. That took what everyone presumed would have been a Clinton asset  the support of the African American community  and turned it into an Obama asset, said Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist and South Carolina native, who stayed neutral in the nominating fight. It can be strongly argued that Hillary Clinton's third-place finish in Iowa marked the beginning of the end of her candidacy, which had always been predicated on a string of early wins. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Obamas win in the overwhelmingly white state of Iowa was crucial in sending a message to black voters. That took what everyone presumed would have been a Clinton asset  the support of the African American community  and turned it into an Obama asset, said Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist and South Carolina native, who stayed neutral in the nominating fight. It can be strongly argued that Hillary Clinton's third-place finish in Iowa marked the beginning of the end of her candidacy, which had always been predicated on a string of early wins.